Disclaimer: I own nothing!
Ages:
Peter- 17
Susan- 16
Edmund and Lucy- 12-13
The Valiant and The Just
Part 3. Scarlet Birthdays
Chapter 1. When We're One
We're getting stronger everyday
Push through the wings that fall our way
Hallelujah here we come
We're much stronger when we're one
Hallelujah here we come
Oh, I love you from the depths of my heart
And nothing here will tear us apart
Everything's beautiful with you
Everything's beautiful when you invade my life
And I'm living just to say that I love you
-'Stronger' by Delirous?
"They're turning 13 in a week." Peter sighed.
"I know. But... they're growing up well. I don't think there's much else we can do." Susan said.
Peter pulled his horse to a stop and Susan followed his example. "It's not just that... King Gerard of Terabinthia has asked for her hand." he said.
Susans eyes widened. "But... he's so... old!" she blurted out.
"I know. I would never accept... but that just shows that princes and kings are looking at her for a possible wife. It's bad enough they look at you, but now Lucy."
"You didn't tell her, did you?"
"No... and I don't intend to."
Susan nodded and urged her horse into a slow trot. "We better get back. You promised Edmund a spar tournament and I promised Lucy I would watch on with her."
Peter sighed. "How could I forget?" he said sarcastically.
Peter and Susan found they were quite late, but as they reached the training grounds, they heard the sound of swords clashing, which was unusual for this time of day. They saw many Narnians watching on and Peter immediately realized the form of Edmund in the fight, but the other man, which being human was even more strange, was wearing a helmet along with the armor, so he couldn't see the face. Though the man was about Edmunds height which made him more likely to be a boy than a man.
The fight seemed to draw on and on, and nothing but the sound of clashing metal, and heavy breathing from the two opponents filled the air, for everyone else was holding their breathe. They were anxious to see who the stranger was.
"Orieus, who is this?" Peter enquired.
"I do not know, your majesty. I was the first to hear the sound of a fight, and when I arrived it was too late to tell." the general replied.
"So we wait to see who wins." Peter stated.
After another half hour of swirls, blocks, jabs, and un-noticeable recpites, Edmund was tripped and the unknown warrior held his sword to Edmunds neck. Applause went up throughout the space of onlookers.
The warrior sheathed his sword and helped Edmund up while Peter and Orieus walked forward.
"Wonderful show!" Peter praised, clapping Edmund on the back. Edmund only grinned in reply, still trying to gain his breathe back. "Now, who is your very worthy opponent?" Peter asked.
Edmund looked to the warrior and nodded. "Go ahead. Your choice, not mine." he said.
The warrior shrugged and close up, Peter realized the the boy had a smaller frame than most boys. And he also realized one more thing just before the warrior pulled off his helment... Lucy had yet to come and say well done to Edmund.
As soon as the helmet was off, long dark hair fell down the back of the boy... which wasn't a boy at all, Peter found.
"Lucy!" he gasped.
Lucy grinned mischeivously. "Who did you think it was?" she asked, her dark brown eyes sparkling as she waited for his response.
"I... wasn't sure... but I wasn't expecting you." he said.
A serious look came on her face. "We weren't acting. This was real. I've been training. So I don't want to hear anymore about how I can't defend myself properly and that girls can't fight." she said.
"But Lucy... it's just... girls shouldn't fight." he said, trying to make up any excuse.
"I may be a girl, but you forget that my twin is a boy. So I am not a normal girl. I can fight, I can argue, and I can defend myself." she stated, her head held high. '
"Come on, no need for arguing now. I'm starving. That was some display Lu. I knew you were good... but that was... magnificent." Edmund stated, shooting a glance at Peter at the last word.
Lucy smiled and looked to Orieus. "If it is alright with you, I would like to begin training with my brothers." she said.
"It would be an honor to train you as well, your majesty." Orieus said with a bow of his head.
"And it won't make you wake any earlier concidering you always come to watch." Edmund said.
"Actually I think it has something to do with the fact that I can't sleep unless you're asleep." Lucy said as they walked away, arm in arm.
"Honestly, Lu. That was sure something. I thought you were going to kill me for sure!"
"I wasn't that good. Really. And I'm sure I'll be really sore in the morning."
"I probably will be too. It happens to everyone after something like that. We were at it for a little over an hour. Not even Peter can go that long!"
"Ed, you can't be serious."
"I am being completely serious."
Lucy smiled but a look of concern crossed her face as a series of coughs came from Edmund. "I'm fine. Probably just a cold or something." he said once it had passed.
She smiled. "Then I best be on the look out. We always seem to get sick together."
"Then we best hope this isn't to serious." he said with a laugh.
